There is no doubt whatsoever that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has a huge dilemma in trying to sort out the Wallabies’ scrum woes.
The Northern Hemisphere tour exposed this worrying problem, which had teams such as England and Wales licking their lips in delight.
Regardless of the extensive preparations which the Wallabies undergo, as English powerhouse tighthead Dan Cole claimed in a YouTube video, the scrum is as much psychological as it is physical.
This is realised in the fact that no tier-one nation fears the Wallaby scrum. Getting around this predicament may not be fixable before the World Cup as Cheika claims, but it can be fixed.
I contend that what is needed is some new stock. Obviously they will not provide an immediate solution, but some of the old oxen who have played in the gold jersey may have played their last games on the end of year tour.
Scott Sio and Greg Holmes are players who will come into calculations when they come back from injury, but we must look with interest to what the Wallabies are yet to tap into. Across the five Super Rugby teams, there is some promising talent that the Wallabies may need to blood in who have the ability to become front row enforcers in their own right.
I have to admit, there is not much in terms of tighthead props, but I have singled out some of the following prodigious talents who could have the physique and power in their game to play tighthead.
Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels) – loosehead prop
The former New Zealand Under-20 representative has come through the Chiefs system and is renowned for his scrummaging ability and his work in the tight. He has made his intentions clear that he wants to represent Australia, his country of birth, so Cheika will need to take advantage of a young and budding prop who has gone through the New Zealand system.
Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies) – loosehead prop
Son of former Samoan prop Vili Alaalatoa (a member of the 1991 Samoan team that dismantled the Welsh scrum at the World Cup), Allan is the younger brother of Waratahs prop Michael.
Scrummaging is therefore a big part of the Alaalatoa family, and having come through the Australian Under-20 system three years consecutively (a rare feat at Under-20 level), he is therefore a promising talent. At the ripe age of 20 he already has Super Rugby experience and has punched well above his weight. Along with his scrummaging ability, he is also very mobile around the park.
Cruze Ah-Nau (Melbourne Rebels) – loosehead prop
At 117 kilograms, Ah-Nau is one of the heavier props going around, but uses this weight well in the scrums but also in general play. He is renowned for his ability to hit hard in defence.
Another prop who has come through the Australian Under-20 system, his scrummaging powers are on the rise as he is only 24.
Michael Alaalatoa (NSW Waratahs) – tighthead prop
The older brother of Allan, Michael does not have the decorated background of his younger brother, but he has played international Under-20 level for Samoa.
Nevertheless, like his brother Allan, Michael has the scrummaging pedigree of his father Vili, and is a huge presence on the rugby field physically. He also has the ability to play both sides of the scrum which would prove to be a huge asset for the Wallabies should they use him in the future.
Francoi van Wyk (Western Force) – loosehead prop
Provided the young hulking frontrower does not move back to his native South Africa, Van Wyk would prove to be a valuable addition to the Wallabies scrum. He has come through the Western Force and while he is a loosehead prop, he has the size and power to play tighthead. The three-year residential rule may apply here.
The Wallabies need to focus on tighthead because this is a worrying area in the scrum. In my extremely amateur rugby career I converted from loosehead to tighthead and I found the conversion not only a challenge, but it was also far more enjoyable and rewarding for a prop.
So the move is possible, even more so for a prop at the professional level. These young props have been exposed to Super Rugby and in my opinion, with the exception of Michael Alaalatoa, they could make the move from loosehead to tighthead.
Not only would it create their own legacies as representative props, but it would also increase the stock of hardened tighthead props for the Wallabies.
Brian Kolia
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the insights tsuru, yes I did read Scott Allen's article (a great read indeed) but my point (I hope I made it clear enough) was that this is not going to happen overnight. I just wanted to point out some of the youngsters who have the frame and the power to make a successful transition. Scott Sio was perhaps the disappointing case for Cheika as the Spring Tour would have been the perfect opportunity to see if Sio was successful in the transition. Scott Sio reminds me of one of the greatest tightheads in the game in former All Blacks anchor Olo Brown, and I truly believe he could have made the transition. And you mention Mike Cron, who is an absolute legend in the scrum game. I wonder how much money could entice him to come across to our shores lol Thanks again tsuru, enjoyed your comment.
tsuru
Guest
Brian, thanks for the article. It has me thinking on 3 different but connected tracks: 1. Don't I remember Link saying, when Scott Sio got injured, that they were trying to convert him to a tight head? Of course even if that was being successful, it has been put back by a few months. And I just read a line quoting Mike Cron saying it takes about 4 years to train a prop, although I think he meant from scratch. Still, it's not an overnight process. 2. Scott Allen, in his "Michael Cheika Must Resign" article, also talks about the time it would take to fix the problems, but he insists that it doesn't necessarily require new cattle; that it is largely a problem with the incumbents' technique and attitude. But I feel Cheika also needs to keep an eye on the future - the Wallabies' and his own - by blooding a couple of the guys you mention, or Holmes, or Weeks, or whoever seems the most promising. 3. And that brings me to the Germans. I read recently that the German football team started planning for this last world cup about 8 years ago - building & aligning their local competitions (ARC? NRC?), focusing on particular strengths & weaknesses, getting the right coaches, etc. And I guess the All Blacks have a similar story.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yeah Brian / WP. There really should be a consensus in the Roar about the 8 man scrum. Its bit like blaming the fullback for tries conceded, when other members are defending out of position.
Brian Kolia
Roar Rookie
Agree with RobC, I think Kepu is the best tighthead in the country. Imagine what he would be like if he had the coaching of the French, English and Welsh props. He would be a machine. Kepu has the prop and the core, but like WB said, when you scrum, you must scrum as an 8. I remember in a club game (again, I am a very amateur player), I was getting no support from my second row, and I was getting pushed back despite the opposing prop being smaller than me. The thing is, if the scrum doesn't work as an 8, you may as well throw the halfback in the frontrow. Kepu just wasn't getting support from the guys behind him.
Brian Kolia
Roar Rookie
No worries WB, thanks for reading and the discussion!
RobC
Roar Guru
yeah WB. Paddys was on THP when the French drove right through him for the pen try. I reckon another thing is the use of mid week games.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
btw - thanks for the article Brian !
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Agree RobC, Kepu has had a very solid year and can do the job. As you rightly said, the guy was simply overworked and afforded no rest due to no back up. If Toby Smith is the business why wasn't picked for the tour, likewise Weekes ? You know what your not getting in Alexander and Robinson. What a wasted opportunity not picking some other younger blokes for experience. The other thing with Kepu is he wasn't getting any support from behind him against England. Cheika needs to bring in the best available scrum coach. The pack must scrum as an 8 and none of the meerkating. Paddy Ryan like Alexander seems to be too tall and just doesn't have any flexibility. Ryan has been a liability at scrum time for the Wallas. Perhaps with the right coaching he can develop. Think Browny is on the money with the props to go to RWC. I would like to see Cheika organise a couple of trial games internally to see if any of these young props can get an opportunity.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yeah, re coaching. You may have noticed. The Tahs doesnt have a scrum coach. BR runs the drills, apparently. They have to fix this asap I think NSW has plenty of good coaches: - And the foreign option may be good. For example from UK etc as you mentioned - Having said that, I think NSW also has a few coaches who worked in EU.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for your thoughts Brian Im really hoping Paddy lifts next year!
Brian Kolia
Roar Rookie
Thanks RobC! I really believe Paddy Ryan has the ability to be a great prop but he just hasn't been consistent. In terms of physique, he has a similar build to world class props such as Owen Franks and Dan Cole. He would need some better coaching in my opinion. Rather than hiring an Aussie coach, I reckon we should look into hiring someone from France, England or even across the Tasman.
RobC
Roar Guru
Maybe worth a try. The challenge is a national THP needs to be around 120kg: - Holmes is around 10kg and Weeks 5kg short of the mark. - But I guess they wont hinge. Then again at test level, theres only one way to find out - I wish WBs held mid-week games to sort these things out Closer to the mark is Paddy (120kg) and Faulkner. (117kg): - My first 'hope' is Paddy. - He was awful with the Tahs, and good part of NRC - But he was pretty good in the last couple NRC games. If Paddy gets it right, he could save us, until the new batch of props lifts. But only if Cheika is serious about his back 5 selections
Browny
Roar Rookie
Isn't ideal when he's pushing against a hooker, a loosehead and a flanker while getting minimal support from his second rower and our flanker is meercatting. My thinking is that unless someone young/new has a serious breakout season our RWC props should be Kepu, Weeks and Holmes for tighthead with Slipper and Sio for loosehead.
RobC
Roar Guru
Kepu is v good. But over-used and worn out by the end of the tour
Magic Sponge
Guest
Kepu has to have played his last test as well as Alexander and Robinson, it is time to blood new props.
AndyS
Guest
It wouldn't happen in time for next year or even quickly, but the only thing keeping the Wallabies from being genuinely competitive in the forwards is the will. It would need a significant change in attitude though, placing a real value on forward play and particularly the front row. It needs to be recognised that they are as significant to team success as backs, with equivalent focus applied to training and financial rewards for excellence. In addition, there should be access to elite training for the best prospects in the same way backs have access to the sevens program. Most importantly of all though is a change in understanding by the supporters, as the reality is that what we are getting is largely what many have long said (and we have even longer been told) is the way Rugby should be. Sooner or later it has to sink in that the way amateur rugby was at Randwick in the eighties is not a realistic approach to professional rugby in the present. Back line opportunities have to be earned by excellence across the park rather than merely waiting for the opposition forwards to get tired in the second half. It just isn't going to happen and the role of the forwards is crucial if we want to see the attacking (not just running) play that everyone likes.
Jameswm
Guest
Does Cron have a price?
grapeseed
Guest
Allan Alaatoa must play both sides surely. With that front row pedigree and playing in the IRB U20s at 17 or 18, as a prop, he would have to have developed his all around game.
Hello
Roar Rookie
Even with the talent coming through they are nearly all loosehead props. We are still struggling for TH
formeropenside
Guest
Got thumped by Paraka and Faagase in the NRC final though.